49ers, Richard Sherman To Part Ways

Richard Sherman said in December that he was likely to finish his career elsewhere, barring a miraculous turn of events that could keep him in San Francisco. No miracle will occur.

The 49ers and Sherman are set to part ways soon, with Sherman becoming a free agent in March. A discussion with Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch confirmed the 49ers will move on from Sherman after his three-year run with the team.

It’s been made pretty clear,” Sherman said, via the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman, on the reality he will leave the 49ers in March. “It was a good conversation, nothing crazy. Just a good conversation about where they are and where I am, and their plans. We were both very positive and as good as you can be in a situation like this.”

After an underwhelming 2018 season, Sherman returned to his elite level in 2019 and helped the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV. One of the many 49ers to suffer a significant injury last season, Sherman played in only five games. His coverage numbers regressed, with the 32-year-old cover man allowing a 116.2 passer rating (after posting a 63.0 figure in 2019) in his limited 2020 action.

Even though he is only planning to play two more seasons, the All-Decade cornerback should generate considerable interest from contending teams. He was notably connected to the defense-needy Raiders earlier this month.

As for the 49ers, they may be starting over at corner. While Shanahan’s team still has impact front-seven defenders and Jimmie Ward returning, its cornerback contingent has Sherman, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, Emmanuel Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon unsigned for 2021. The team could well opt to keep some of these players off the market, but Sherman will not be one of them.

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